Teen Wakeboarding Death
Nearly a year after a tragic boating accident claimed the life of a 15-year-old boy in Biscayne Bay, two men are now facing criminal charges. Officials announced this week that 38-year-old Daniel Ortiz and 24-year-old Mateo Vasquez have been formally charged in connection with the death of Lucas Ramirez, who was wakeboarding at the time he was fatally struck by a speeding boat.
The deadly incident occurred on the afternoon of July 15, 2024, near Nixon Beach, a popular destination for boaters and water sports enthusiasts in Biscayne Bay. According to investigators with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Lucas was being towed behind a boat operated by his family when a second vessel, allegedly driven by Ortiz, entered the area at a high rate of speed and collided with the teen. The impact of the crash caused fatal injuries, and despite efforts by bystanders and emergency crews, Lucas was pronounced dead at the scene.
Ortiz, the operator of the vessel that struck Lucas, has been charged with vessel homicide, reckless operation of a vessel, and failure to render aid, all serious felony charges under Florida maritime law. Prosecutors allege that Ortiz was operating his boat in a negligent and dangerous manner, ignoring posted no-wake and safety zone markers, and failed to take necessary action to avoid hitting the teen. Notably, Ortiz reportedly did not stop after the collision, continuing to drive away before later turning himself in.
Vasquez, who was on the boat as the designated lookout, has been charged with negligent manslaughter and failure to maintain proper watch, both of which stem from what authorities say was a clear violation of his duty to remain alert for swimmers, skiers, and wakeboarders in the water.
“This was a senseless and entirely preventable tragedy,” Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle said in a press conference on Tuesday. “Florida law requires vigilance on the water, especially in busy recreational areas like Biscayne Bay. These two individuals failed in their basic responsibility to protect the lives of others.”
The charges follow an extensive, months-long investigation that included interviews with over a dozen eyewitnesses, reviews of GPS data and onboard surveillance footage, and forensic analysis of the vessel. Investigators say that Ortiz’s boat was traveling at more than twice the posted speed limit in the area, and neither he nor Vasquez appeared to see Lucas until it was too late.
Lucas Ramirez was described by friends and family as an athletic, kind-hearted high school sophomore who loved the ocean and dreamed of becoming a marine biologist. He had spent countless weekends wakeboarding and tubing with his siblings and friends.
In an emotional statement shared with reporters, Lucas’s parents, Maria and Carlos Ramirez, said the charges brought “some measure of justice” but emphasized that nothing could bring their son back. “Lucas had a bright future,” said Carlos Ramirez. “He was the light of our lives. We’re still learning how to live without him.”
In the wake of the accident, local lawmakers and water safety advocates have pushed for stricter regulations in Biscayne Bay. Proposals include mandatory safety education for boaters, increased fines for reckless driving on the water, better enforcement of speed zones, and more visible signage around high-use recreation areas.
“This case has sparked outrage across Miami-Dade County,” said Rachel Martinez, director of the South Florida Safe Boating Coalition. “Our waterways are not lawless. When people act recklessly, real lives are lost. Lucas’s death should be a wake-up call to all boaters.”
Since Lucas’s death, a memorial has grown along the Coconut Grove shoreline, where friends, classmates, and community members have placed flowers, photos, and surfboards in tribute. A scholarship fund in Lucas’s name was established earlier this year to support students pursuing careers in marine sciences.
Both Ortiz and Vasquez have been released on bond pending trial, which is expected to begin later this year. They have not publicly commented on the charges. Attorneys for both men are likely to argue that the crash was a tragic accident and not the result of criminal negligence.
Meanwhile, Lucas’s family and supporters continue to campaign for safer boating practices and legislative reform. A candlelight vigil and water safety awareness rally are scheduled for the anniversary of the accident next month.
“Lucas should still be here,” said Maria Ramirez. “If these charges prevent another family from going through what we have, then at least his death will not have been in vain.”
